Every laptop, workstation, server, and mobile device connected to a business network can become an entry point for a cyberattack.
Traditional antivirus software is no longer enough for many organizations. Modern attackers use ransomware, credential theft, fileless malware, zero-day vulnerabilities, malicious scripts, and legitimate administrative tools to avoid basic malware detection.
That is why businesses increasingly rely on an endpoint protection platform (EPP) combined with capabilities such as endpoint detection and response (EDR), ransomware protection, vulnerability management, behavioral analysis, and automated threat remediation.
The best endpoint protection solutions do more than scan files. They continuously monitor endpoint activity, identify suspicious behavior, reduce the attack surface, and help security teams investigate and respond to threats.
This guide compares some of the leading endpoint security solutions for businesses in 2026, including options for small businesses, midsize organizations, and larger enterprises.
Best Endpoint Protection Solutions in 2026
| Endpoint Security Solution | Best Fit | EDR | Ransomware Protection | Centralized Management | Pricing Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrowdStrike Falcon | Businesses wanting advanced endpoint security and EDR | Yes | Yes | Yes | From $7.99/device/month |
| SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint | Organizations prioritizing automated detection and remediation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Contact sales |
| Microsoft Defender for Business | Small businesses using Microsoft 365 | Yes | Yes | Yes | $3/user/month annually |
| Sophos Endpoint | Businesses focused on ransomware and exploit prevention | Yes | Yes | Yes | Quote-based |
| Bitdefender GravityZone | Small and midsize businesses | Available | Yes | Yes | Varies by package |
| ESET Endpoint Security | Businesses wanting multilayered, cross-platform protection | Available by package | Yes | Yes | Varies by package |
Prices and capabilities can change, and businesses should confirm current licensing requirements directly with each provider before purchasing.
What Is Endpoint Protection?
Endpoint protection refers to cybersecurity technology designed to secure devices connected to an organization’s network.
Endpoints can include:
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Servers
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Virtual machines
- Cloud workloads
A modern endpoint protection platform typically combines several security technologies rather than relying only on traditional antivirus scanning.
These technologies can include:
- Next-generation antivirus
- Endpoint detection and response
- Behavioral threat detection
- Machine learning
- Ransomware protection
- Exploit prevention
- Firewall management
- Device control
- Attack surface reduction
- Vulnerability management
- Automated investigation and remediation
The objective is not only to block known malware but also to detect suspicious behavior that could indicate an advanced attack.
1. CrowdStrike Falcon
Best fit for: Businesses looking for advanced endpoint protection, EDR, threat intelligence, and scalable security.
CrowdStrike Falcon is one of the most established platforms in the enterprise endpoint security market.
Its endpoint security portfolio includes next-generation antivirus through Falcon Prevent, endpoint detection and response through Falcon Insight XDR, device control, firewall management, mobile protection, threat hunting, and additional security capabilities within the broader Falcon platform.
CrowdStrike uses cloud-delivered security combined with behavioral detection, threat intelligence, machine learning, and indicators of attack to identify suspicious activity.
CrowdStrike Endpoint Security Features
Key capabilities can include:
- Next-generation antivirus
- Endpoint detection and response
- Behavioral threat detection
- Ransomware protection
- Threat intelligence
- Threat hunting
- Device control
- Firewall management
- Mobile endpoint protection
- Real-time response
- Centralized security management
CrowdStrike also provides different bundles depending on how much security a business requires.
CrowdStrike Pricing
CrowdStrike currently lists several public plans.
Falcon Go: $7.99 per device per month when billed monthly.
Falcon Pro: $14.99 per device per month when billed monthly.
Falcon Enterprise: $19.99 per device per month when billed monthly.
Annual pricing is also available, and Falcon Complete uses custom sales pricing.
Pricing should always be verified before purchase because subscriptions and included modules can change.
Who Should Consider CrowdStrike?
CrowdStrike can be particularly attractive to organizations that want to consolidate several cybersecurity functions within the same platform.
It can also make sense for companies that expect to expand from basic endpoint protection into:
- EDR
- Managed detection and response
- Identity protection
- Threat intelligence
- Cloud security
- SIEM
- Threat hunting
Small businesses that only need basic device protection may not require the platform’s most advanced capabilities.
2. SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint
Best fit for: Businesses looking for highly automated endpoint detection and response.
SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint combines endpoint protection and EDR within a single security platform.
SentinelOne describes the platform as using behavioral AI to identify suspicious activity and automatically contain threats across endpoints.
Its platform is designed to protect workstations, cloud workloads, mobile devices, and other endpoints across cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and even air-gapped environments.
SentinelOne Endpoint Security Features
Key capabilities include:
- Endpoint protection platform functionality
- Endpoint detection and response
- Behavioral threat detection
- Automated remediation
- Ransomware protection
- Threat containment
- Attack investigation
- Cross-endpoint visibility
- Identity and cloud telemetry integration
SentinelOne says Singularity Endpoint can automatically detect and contain ransomware, zero-day exploits, fileless malware, and other suspicious activity.
Automated Remediation
One of SentinelOne’s most notable features is its focus on automated response.
Depending on the deployment and configuration, administrators can use remediation actions designed to:
- Kill malicious processes
- Quarantine threats
- Isolate endpoints
- Remediate malicious changes
- Roll back certain attack-related changes
This automation can reduce the amount of time security teams spend manually responding to endpoint incidents.
SentinelOne Pricing
SentinelOne offers multiple security packages, but exact pricing can depend on the selected platform tier, number of endpoints, and additional security services.
Businesses should request an up-to-date quote before making a cost comparison.
Who Should Consider SentinelOne?
SentinelOne may be a good fit for organizations that prioritize:
- Automated endpoint security
- Behavioral detection
- EDR capabilities
- Ransomware defense
- Fast remediation
- Reduced manual investigation
Organizations should still evaluate integrations, management requirements, operating-system support, and total licensing costs before selecting a platform.
3. Microsoft Defender for Business
Best fit for: Small and midsize businesses already using Microsoft 365.
Microsoft Defender for Business is Microsoft’s endpoint security solution designed specifically for organizations with up to 300 users.
It is based on Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and includes capabilities such as next-generation antivirus, endpoint detection and response, attack surface reduction, vulnerability management, automated investigation and remediation, and automatic attack disruption.
Microsoft Defender for Business Features
The platform includes:
- Next-generation antivirus
- Endpoint detection and response
- Vulnerability management
- Attack surface reduction
- Automated investigation
- Automated remediation
- Automatic attack disruption
- Centralized endpoint management
- Web protection
- Ransomware protection
- Security recommendations
Defender for Business supports Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
Microsoft Defender for Business Pricing
Microsoft currently lists Defender for Business at:
$3.00 per user per month when paid annually.
The subscription supports organizations with up to 300 users and allows up to five devices per user.
Defender for Business is also included with Microsoft 365 Business Premium, which Microsoft currently lists at $22 per user per month when paid annually in the U.S. market.
Actual pricing can vary by country, tax, contract, and licensing channel.
Why Microsoft Defender Can Be Attractive to Small Businesses
Companies already operating heavily within Microsoft 365 may benefit from tighter integration between endpoint security and Microsoft’s broader security ecosystem.
Microsoft can combine signals from endpoints with other Microsoft security products covering:
- Identity
- Cloud applications
- Device management
- Access control
This can reduce the number of separate security platforms that administrators need to manage.
Who Should Consider Microsoft Defender for Business?
It can be particularly suitable for companies that:
- Have fewer than 300 users
- Already use Microsoft 365
- Primarily operate Windows endpoints
- Want EDR without purchasing a large enterprise security platform
- Need centralized vulnerability and endpoint management
Businesses with more than 300 users can instead evaluate Microsoft Defender for Endpoint plans designed for larger environments.
4. Sophos Endpoint
Best fit for: Businesses prioritizing ransomware protection, exploit prevention, and simplified endpoint management.
Sophos Endpoint combines endpoint protection, behavioral security controls, exploit mitigation, ransomware protection, and detection and response technologies within a centrally managed platform.
Sophos says the current Endpoint product combines AI-powered prevention, more than 60 exploit mitigations, CryptoGuard ransomware rollback, and built-in detection and response in one endpoint agent for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Sophos Endpoint Features
Capabilities include:
- Malware protection
- Ransomware protection
- Exploit prevention
- Behavioral analysis
- Endpoint detection and response
- Application control
- Device control
- Web protection
- Threat investigation
- Automated response
- Centralized management through Sophos Central
Sophos CryptoGuard Ransomware Protection
Sophos CryptoGuard monitors file activity for behavior associated with malicious encryption.
According to Sophos, when ransomware encryption is detected, CryptoGuard can block the responsible process and automatically restore affected files in supported scenarios.
Ransomware rollback should not be treated as a replacement for secure backups. Businesses should still maintain independent, tested backup systems.
Sophos EDR
Organizations requiring deeper investigation capabilities can use Sophos EDR.
Sophos EDR adds continuous monitoring, investigation tools, threat hunting capabilities, automated response actions, endpoint isolation, and other security operations functionality.
Sophos Pricing
Sophos primarily directs businesses to request pricing based on the products and number of endpoints required.
A free Endpoint trial is currently available for organizations wanting to evaluate the platform before purchasing.
Who Should Consider Sophos Endpoint?
Sophos can be particularly attractive for businesses that want:
- Strong ransomware-focused security controls
- Endpoint and server protection
- Centralized administration
- EDR upgrade options
- Managed detection and response options
- Integration with additional Sophos security products
Businesses already using Sophos Firewall or other Sophos products may also benefit from managing multiple security controls through the same ecosystem.
5. Bitdefender GravityZone
Best fit for: Small and midsize businesses wanting centralized endpoint security with flexible security packages.
Bitdefender GravityZone provides business endpoint protection through a range of packages designed for different company sizes and cybersecurity requirements.
GravityZone Business Security combines machine learning, behavioral analysis, continuous process monitoring, network attack defense, risk management, and centralized security management.
Bitdefender GravityZone Features
Depending on the selected package, capabilities can include:
- Endpoint protection
- Ransomware protection
- Malware protection
- Network attack defense
- Behavioral detection
- Risk management
- Vulnerability assessment
- Endpoint detection and response
- Sandboxing
- Attack visualization
- Patch management
- Device control
- Web threat protection
Bitdefender’s more advanced GravityZone packages add deeper attack analysis and EDR or XDR functionality.
GravityZone Business Security Premium
GravityZone Business Security Premium adds capabilities including attack forensics, visualization, sandbox analysis, and advanced threat-prevention tools.
For organizations requiring EDR, Bitdefender also offers GravityZone EDR, which continuously monitors endpoints for suspicious activity and provides investigation and response functionality.
Bitdefender Pricing
Pricing depends on:
- Number of devices
- Subscription duration
- Selected GravityZone package
- Additional security modules
- Partner or regional pricing
Bitdefender allows online purchasing for several small-business packages covering up to 100 devices, while larger deployments may be purchased through partners.
Who Should Consider Bitdefender GravityZone?
GravityZone can be suitable for:
- Small businesses
- Midsize companies
- Organizations with limited security personnel
- Companies requiring centralized endpoint management
- Businesses planning to add EDR later
- Organizations operating mixed physical, virtual, and cloud environments
6. ESET Endpoint Security
Best fit for: Businesses wanting multilayered endpoint protection across several operating systems.
ESET provides endpoint security as part of its wider ESET PROTECT business cybersecurity platform.
ESET Endpoint Security supports major operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux, depending on the particular product and deployment.
ESET Endpoint Security Features
ESET’s business security portfolio can include:
- Endpoint malware protection
- Ransomware protection
- Machine-learning detection
- Behavioral detection
- Web protection
- Device control
- Centralized security management
- Mobile threat defense
- Advanced threat defense
- Vulnerability and patch management
- EDR and managed detection options in higher packages
Organizations can centrally deploy and manage endpoints through the ESET PROTECT console, either through cloud management or certain on-premises deployment options.
ESET PROTECT Packages
Businesses that need more than endpoint antivirus can select broader ESET PROTECT packages.
For example, ESET PROTECT Complete combines endpoint protection with additional security functionality for cloud applications, email, workloads, and other business systems.
ESET Pricing
Pricing varies according to:
- Package
- Number of protected devices
- Contract term
- Additional modules
- Regional pricing
Businesses should compare the total package rather than only the base endpoint security license.
Endpoint Protection vs. Antivirus: What Is the Difference?
Traditional business antivirus software primarily focuses on identifying and blocking malicious files.
Modern endpoint protection is broader.
An endpoint protection platform may include:
Antivirus: Blocks malware and known malicious files.
Behavioral detection: Identifies suspicious actions rather than relying only on malware signatures.
Exploit prevention: Attempts to stop attackers from exploiting software vulnerabilities.
Endpoint detection and response: Continuously monitors endpoints and provides investigation and response capabilities.
Ransomware protection: Detects activity associated with malicious encryption and ransomware techniques.
Vulnerability management: Identifies outdated software, vulnerable applications, or endpoint misconfigurations.
Device control: Restricts removable media such as USB drives.
Attack surface reduction: Limits behaviors and services that attackers could abuse.
For that reason, companies comparing the best business antivirus software should consider whether they actually need a complete endpoint protection platform instead of a traditional antivirus product.
What Is Endpoint Detection and Response?
Endpoint detection and response (EDR) is a security technology designed to continuously collect and analyze activity occurring on endpoints.
An EDR platform can help security teams:
- Detect suspicious behavior
- Investigate security alerts
- Search endpoint telemetry
- Identify compromised devices
- Isolate infected endpoints
- Terminate malicious processes
- Investigate attack timelines
- Respond to security incidents
EDR is particularly important when an attacker gets past the initial prevention layer.
Instead of assuming every attack can be blocked before execution, EDR gives security teams tools to detect and respond to suspicious activity after it begins.
EPP vs. EDR
Although the terms are related, EPP and EDR are not identical.
Endpoint Protection Platform
An EPP focuses primarily on preventing threats.
Typical features include:
- Antivirus
- Antimalware
- Exploit prevention
- Web protection
- Behavioral detection
- Ransomware prevention
- Device control
Endpoint Detection and Response
EDR focuses on:
- Monitoring
- Detection
- Investigation
- Threat hunting
- Incident response
- Endpoint isolation
- Attack analysis
Many modern endpoint security vendors now combine EPP and EDR within the same platform.
Endpoint Protection vs. MDR
Endpoint protection provides the technology.
Managed detection and response (MDR) adds security professionals who monitor the environment and respond to incidents for the organization.
A business using endpoint protection or EDR still needs someone to investigate alerts.
With MDR, that responsibility can be partially or largely outsourced to a managed security team.
MDR can therefore be valuable for businesses that lack enough internal security staff to provide 24/7 monitoring.
What Features Should Businesses Look for in Endpoint Security?
Choosing the best endpoint security software should involve more than comparing antivirus detection rates.
Businesses should evaluate the following areas.
1. Endpoint Detection and Response
EDR can provide visibility into suspicious behavior that traditional antivirus products may miss.
Organizations with valuable data or high cybersecurity risk should strongly consider a solution with EDR capabilities.
2. Ransomware Protection
A modern endpoint security platform should include multiple defenses against ransomware.
Look for capabilities such as:
- Behavioral ransomware detection
- Exploit prevention
- Malicious process termination
- Endpoint isolation
- File protection
- Attack rollback where supported
- Network attack detection
No endpoint security product can guarantee protection from every ransomware attack.
Secure backups, multifactor authentication, patching, employee training, and access controls remain necessary.
3. Vulnerability Management
Attackers often exploit outdated applications and misconfigured systems.
Integrated vulnerability management can help organizations discover weaknesses and prioritize remediation before those vulnerabilities are exploited.
4. Automated Investigation and Remediation
Automation can significantly reduce the amount of manual work required from IT teams.
Modern tools may automatically:
- Analyze suspicious files
- Kill malicious processes
- Quarantine threats
- Isolate endpoints
- Remediate malicious changes
- Prioritize incidents
This can be particularly useful for businesses with small IT departments.
5. Centralized Security Management
Businesses should be able to manage endpoint policies from a central console.
Administrators may need visibility into:
- Device security status
- Active threats
- Missing protection
- Vulnerabilities
- Security incidents
- Policy compliance
Managing individual devices manually becomes increasingly difficult as an organization grows.
6. Cross-Platform Support
Before purchasing an endpoint security solution, verify support for every operating system used by the business.
This may include:
- Windows
- macOS
- Linux
- Android
- iOS
- Windows Server
- Cloud workloads
Do not assume every feature is available on every operating system.
7. Performance Impact
Endpoint protection runs continuously on employee computers.
A poorly optimized security agent can potentially affect device performance, so organizations should test endpoint software on representative systems before completing a large deployment.
Free trials and proof-of-concept deployments can help identify compatibility issues.
8. Integrations
Larger organizations may need endpoint security to integrate with:
- SIEM platforms
- SOAR platforms
- Identity security tools
- Firewalls
- Email security
- Cloud security
- IT service-management systems
- Threat intelligence platforms
Integration requirements should be evaluated before signing a long-term contract.
9. Managed Security Options
Smaller security teams may want the option to add managed endpoint security or MDR later.
Choosing a provider that offers both endpoint security technology and managed security services can simplify that transition.
How Much Does Business Endpoint Protection Cost?
Endpoint security pricing varies considerably.
Some vendors charge:
- Per device
- Per user
- Per endpoint per month
- Per endpoint per year
- Through custom enterprise contracts
The final cost can also depend on whether the package includes:
- EDR
- XDR
- Threat hunting
- MDR
- Vulnerability management
- Cloud security
- Identity protection
- Server security
- Mobile protection
- Data retention
For example, Microsoft’s U.S. pricing currently lists Defender for Business at $3 per user per month when paid annually, while CrowdStrike lists Falcon plans beginning at $7.99 per device per month for monthly Falcon Go billing.
Those figures are not directly comparable because the licensing models and included features differ.
Businesses should calculate the total annual cost based on their own users, endpoints, servers, and required security modules.
What Is the Best Endpoint Protection for Small Businesses?
There is no single endpoint security product that is best for every small business.
For businesses already heavily invested in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Defender for Business can be attractive because it combines endpoint protection, EDR, vulnerability management, and automated remediation under a relatively straightforward user-based subscription.
Bitdefender GravityZone offers several packages designed specifically for small and midsize businesses and can provide a straightforward path from basic endpoint protection to more advanced EDR capabilities.
Sophos Endpoint can be attractive to businesses prioritizing ransomware prevention and automated endpoint defenses.
Organizations wanting a broader enterprise-grade platform can evaluate CrowdStrike Falcon or SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint.
The right choice depends on security requirements rather than brand name alone.
What Is the Best Endpoint Protection for Enterprise Businesses?
Large organizations typically require capabilities beyond basic endpoint security.
Enterprise buyers may need:
- Advanced EDR
- XDR
- Identity security
- Cloud workload protection
- Threat hunting
- SIEM integration
- Security APIs
- Long-term telemetry retention
- Automated response
- Managed detection and response
Platforms such as CrowdStrike, SentinelOne, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, Sophos, Bitdefender, and ESET all offer broader enterprise security capabilities beyond basic antivirus protection.
Businesses should run a proof of concept before making a large enterprise deployment.
How to Choose an Endpoint Protection Solution
Before purchasing endpoint security software, create a list of your organization’s requirements.
Start by determining:
Number of Endpoints
Calculate how many laptops, desktops, servers, virtual machines, and mobile devices require protection.
Operating Systems
Identify every operating system that needs security coverage.
Internal Security Expertise
Determine whether your team can investigate EDR alerts internally or whether you require managed security services.
Compliance Requirements
Businesses operating in regulated industries may require particular security controls, reporting capabilities, logging, or data-retention policies.
Existing Security Stack
Identify tools that the endpoint security platform needs to integrate with.
Cybersecurity Risk
A small office with limited sensitive information has different requirements from a financial company, healthcare provider, technology business, or enterprise handling large quantities of customer data.
Budget
Compare the full annual security cost rather than only the advertised entry-level price.
A cheaper endpoint license can become expensive if additional EDR, server, identity, or managed security products must be purchased separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best endpoint protection software for businesses?
There is no universal best option.
CrowdStrike Falcon, SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint, Microsoft Defender, Sophos Endpoint, Bitdefender GravityZone, and ESET all provide business endpoint security solutions with different feature sets and licensing models.
The best choice depends on company size, security requirements, existing infrastructure, and budget.
What does EPP mean in cybersecurity?
EPP stands for Endpoint Protection Platform.
It refers to security software designed to prevent threats from compromising laptops, desktops, servers, and other endpoints.
What does EDR mean?
EDR stands for Endpoint Detection and Response.
EDR continuously monitors endpoint activity and gives security teams tools to detect, investigate, and respond to suspicious behavior.
Is endpoint protection the same as antivirus?
No.
Antivirus is one component of endpoint protection.
Modern endpoint security can additionally include EDR, behavioral analysis, ransomware defense, exploit prevention, vulnerability management, device control, and automated response.
Do small businesses need EDR?
Not every small business needs advanced EDR, but it becomes more valuable as cyber risk increases.
Businesses handling sensitive customer information, financial data, intellectual property, or critical systems should consider EDR or a managed detection and response service.
Can endpoint protection stop ransomware?
Modern endpoint security can detect and block many ransomware techniques, but no product can guarantee that every ransomware attack will be prevented.
Endpoint protection should be combined with:
- Secure backups
- Multifactor authentication
- Vulnerability management
- Patch management
- Email security
- Least-privilege access
- Network segmentation
- Security awareness training
Does endpoint security protect servers?
Many business endpoint security platforms support servers, although separate server licenses or additional packages may be required.
Businesses should verify server support and licensing terms with the vendor before purchasing.
Is Microsoft Defender enough for a small business?
Microsoft Defender for Business provides substantially more functionality than basic consumer antivirus, including EDR, vulnerability management, automated investigation and remediation, attack surface reduction, and next-generation protection.
Whether it is sufficient depends on the organization’s security risk, infrastructure, regulatory requirements, and internal security resources.
Is CrowdStrike worth it for small businesses?
CrowdStrike offers multiple plans ranging from Falcon Go to more advanced enterprise packages.
Falcon Go is specifically positioned for smaller organizations and currently supports purchases of up to 100 devices.
Whether it offers good value depends on which security capabilities the business needs.
What is managed endpoint security?
Managed endpoint security combines endpoint security technology with outside cybersecurity professionals who help monitor or manage the environment.
More advanced managed services may include 24/7 threat monitoring, investigation, threat hunting, and incident response.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best endpoint protection solution for business is no longer simply a matter of selecting antivirus software.
Modern businesses should consider protection across the entire endpoint security lifecycle:
Prevent threats. Detect suspicious activity. Investigate incidents. Contain attacks. Remediate compromised systems.
CrowdStrike Falcon is a strong option for companies looking for an expandable enterprise security platform.
SentinelOne Singularity Endpoint focuses heavily on automated detection and response.
Microsoft Defender for Business provides a compelling option for small businesses already using the Microsoft ecosystem.
Sophos Endpoint combines endpoint security with extensive ransomware and exploit-prevention technologies.
Bitdefender GravityZone provides flexible security packages for small and midsize businesses.
ESET offers cross-platform endpoint protection as part of its wider ESET PROTECT portfolio.
Before signing a long-term agreement, businesses should compare EDR capabilities, ransomware protection, integrations, supported operating systems, management requirements, and total annual cost.
The best endpoint security platform is ultimately the one that matches your organization’s actual risk, infrastructure, staffing, and security requirements.
